A TASTE FOR THE TRACK | 2019
It was a typical Friday night in 2019 at Thunder Valley Raceway Park where the roar of engines and the thrill of competition filled the air.
Every week, this treasured venue opens its gates for an action-packed “Test & Tune” session, inviting drivers of all levels and a kaleidoscope of vehicles to get a taste of the dragstrip.
On this particular night, the stage was set for something truly remarkable.
Fueled by curiosity, South Dakota mom, Becca Marso from Sioux Falls was attending with her fiancé Stephan Newell, alongside their friends and family when she decided to take matters into her own hands and see what all the fuss was about;
Becca ran her Audi S4 down the strip for the first time, and the rest was history.
Since then, Becca has redefined the meaning of “Girl Power”, inspiring young women around the world to chase their high-horsepower dreams. “We need more girls like that, the girls who just want to race, to race and just have fun with it,” Becca passionately stated during her 2024 interview with Minnoxide.
Since her first run, not only has Becca established herself as one of the best on her platform, but she has also had to overcome the trials and tribulations that the world of racing provides. Initially, it began as a “his & hers” activity for Stephan and Becca to burn rubber on the strip together, however, it wasn’t long before Becca’s swift runs began to turn into wins, and the more victories prevailed, the faster she got.
Things started to get a little more serious for Becca when she transitioned into her powerhouse 2018 Audi TT RS. As her racing aspirations climbed to new heights alongside her passion and determination, Stephan made the courageous decision to step back from racing for a while and climb into the engine bay where he embraced his role as self-proclaimed “hobby mechanic”, so he would be able to provide Becca with the backing she needed as her racing career was quickly skyrocketing.
PULL THE CHUTE | SEPTEMBER 30TH 2023
As Becca climbed the ranks, she grew to understand first-hand that the thrill of speed in the world of competitive racing comes with inherent risks. “At this higher horsepower, the higher level, it’s not always a matter of if you are going to wreck, it’s a matter of when,” she reflected, acknowledging the challenges faced in the pursuit of greatness.
Becca was racing down the strip in Bemidji, Minnesota, at approximately 130 miles per hour when an adrenaline-fueled moment unfolded that would leave any motorsport enthusiast on the edge of their seat; the driver next to her lost control and crashed into her vehicle.
Her fiancé, Stephan, couldn’t help but run towards her as the chaos ensued, “it was scary,” he admitted. “It was scary! There’s a lot that goes through your mind when you – I have two kids, and thinking about all that… I’m sure Stephan was scared” said Becca.
Yet, amidst the panic, it was a sense of preparation that saved her.
“Thank God for safety equipment” she emphasized. “I pulled my parachute to hopefully help straighten me out and slow me down.” This wasn’t just an impulse, but a response that Stephan and Becca had discussed extensively and practised countless times;
ensuring “pull the chute” was a reaction that came instinctively for Becca if things ever got out of control.
And thankfully, she did. Becca was able to bring the vehicle to a stop and by the time her fiancé reached her, she was already climbing out; a sight that filled him with relief.
It was a scare, but that was never going to take away from this South Dakota mom’s need for speed. The damage to the TT set them back, but Becca was determined to get back on track.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE | 2024
In preparation for one of the biggest races of the season, Becca and Stephan worked tirelessly alongside their dedicated team, pushing the limits to rebuild the car faster than ever before. TX2K was quickly approaching and Becca had to qualify to race against some of the very best in the sport.
“GT-R’s that make 2,000 – 3,000whp, R-8’s that make over 2,000hp and Lamborghini’s making around 2,000 – 3,000whp. So Becca’s one of the lower horsepower but the difference between her car and all the other cars is, her car is really light,” Stephan explained.
But the rebuild after the wreck wasn’t a perfect pass, there were still a few rough shifts along the way.
Twelve hours before racing was due to start at TX2K24, the transmission was on the ground. Emergency calls were made between Becca’s team at IROZ to Dodson, who worked to deliver the necessary parts overnight from New Zealand to get the car running on time. A team of Stephan and Becca’s friends volunteered their time and worked diligently overnight to get Becca behind the wheel in time for qualifying the next morning.
As the first rays of dawn broke, so did their hard work; the TT was back on its wheels just in time for the green light to illuminate the track again.
“After all that, we weren’t expecting to win it; we just wanted to make some decent passes” Stephan candidly shared.
They say it takes a village, and the results of their hard work and dedication proved just that.
Becca finished her final pass and was handed the timeslip that changed everything, “I was like, oh my gosh, it says winner! I just won Texas 2K!” voiced Becca. Little did they know, this was only the beginning.
Becca was now no longer just ‘one to watch’ but had become the ‘one they can’t forget’. Providing the male-dominated competition with a serious run for their money as they all began to get used to seeing the “BYE BOYS” plate on the back of her pink dragster.
BYE BOYS, HELLO WORLD RECORD | 2025
Not even one year later, Becca took a last-minute trip to Orlando for Euro Drag Wars where she entered the TT in the B58 vs. DAZA class. With TX2K25 approaching and after installing the new transmission with the Dodson 4th gear, Becca and Stephan were keen to collect some data before the big competition in Texas.
When asked what her goal for the weekend in Orlando was, Becca responded with “faster than my last pass and get out of the 8.6/8.7’s”;
Not only did Becca achieve her goals and more when she hit back-to-back personal bests with an 8.31 @ 169mph followed by an 8.25 @ 157.26mph, but she made history.
With her +1200hp Audi TT RS, Becca broke the record and claimed the title of the ‘Fastest Daza in The World’, running an insane 8.0 @182mph.
A testament to Becca’s unwavering determination, supported by the tireless efforts of her fiancé and team.
TX2K | 2025
As a brand committed to empowering drivers like Becca with cutting-edge parts and solutions, we were excited to watch the TT RS and our Dodson DQ500 Sportsman 8/9 Plate Clutch Kit and DQ500 Upgraded 4th Gear in action on the iconic Texas Motorplex strip during TX2K 25.
Having the privilege of meeting and getting to know the girl behind the wheel of the Pink TT RS in person, and witnessing her commitment on and off the track was a powerful reminder of what this sport is truly about; If one thing was for certain, it was that Becca is a true ambassador for the racing community, she is a racer who embodies the spirit of motorsport and the passion that drives us all.
Every person I observed who admired, approached, or even called out to Becca was met with an inviting smile and an open heart. She embraced each interaction with genuine warmth, ready to listen, answer questions, and share encouragement. Becca’s presence is a reminder of the power of kindness and connection; In a world that often feels rushed, she teaches us the beauty of pausing to engage with others, leaving each person she interacts with better than she found them, showing that racing is as much about the people as it is about the machines, exemplifying the camaraderie that fuels our love for motorsport.
Witnessing Becca prepare for and race at TX2K 2025 was an unforgettable experience that captured the essence of motorsport excitement. With sheer determination and unmatched skill, Becca drove the wheels off her TT RS, leaving her competitors in the dust and thrilling her fans with every exhilarating run throughout the week.
As she charged into the finals after clinching victory in the first round of the DCT Class – defeating the formidable #1 qualifier, Tony Genovese; anticipation soared among the crowd of BYEBOYS fans, all eager to see her claim a second TX2K championship. However, in the unpredictable world of racing, the track can have a way of rewriting the script. On that fateful Sunday, during the semi-finals, Becca encountered unexpected mechanical difficulties during the tyre warmup, cutting short her spectacular week at TX2K 25. But even in the face of mechanical setbacks, Becca’s resilient spirit shone brightly. She was quick to rally behind her competitors, celebrating their victories and showing that true sportsmanship goes beyond individual victories.
What makes Becca’s story so inspiring it transcends beyond trophies and accolades. It highlights a deep-rooted love for the sport – for the cars that roar to life, the thrill of competition, and the experiences forged in the heat of the race. Becca’s journey isn’t just about the races she wins; it’s about the passion, resilience, and inspiration she brings to the next generation of drivers, her fans and everyone who dares to chase their dreams. The road ahead may be challenging, but Becca’s unwavering determination will undoubtedly lead her back to the starting line, ready to race again.
We can’t wait to see what’s next in this remarkable journey and the milestones yet to come.